Cathryn Achilles passed at the age 32 years old in Medford, OR. She was first and foremost a woman of deep faith in Jesus Christ. Ryn’s world was shaped by the physical limitations set by Ataxia-Telangiectasia, but in her perspective, those same limitations were a gift—she was able to see her great God for who He truly is, without the stumbling blocks that most Christians experience in the endless pursuit of autonomy. Ryn knew God as the perfect Father, the just King, the wise Healer, her Savior and her truest love.
Ryn was an artist, through and through—romantic, optimistic, and creative. She was moved by music, cinema, animation, and storytelling in all forms.
Her strong moral code served as the lens through which she saw herself and the world around her. She was always in pursuit of what is noble and pure.
Ryn loved others with abandon, in all the ways she was able. She took great joy in gift-giving, hunting down the perfect treasures that spoke to the hearts of her friends and family. Her quick wit and love of wordplay made her an excellent conversationalist, for those of us lucky enough to spend meaningful time with her.
She was driven by conviction, to such an extent that some might describe her as stubborn. But Ryn learned that without such dogged determination, her voice would not be heard, and that simply wouldn’t do. She was gifted with a unique perspective, and used every creative outlet at her disposal to share it, to the glory of her Creator.
Ryn was an artist, through and through—romantic, optimistic, and creative. She was moved by music, cinema, animation, and storytelling in all forms.
Her strong moral code served as the lens through which she saw herself and the world around her. She was always in pursuit of what is noble and pure.
Ryn loved others with abandon, in all the ways she was able. She took great joy in gift-giving, hunting down the perfect treasures that spoke to the hearts of her friends and family. Her quick wit and love of wordplay made her an excellent conversationalist, for those of us lucky enough to spend meaningful time with her.
She was driven by conviction, to such an extent that some might describe her as stubborn. But Ryn learned that without such dogged determination, her voice would not be heard, and that simply wouldn’t do. She was gifted with a unique perspective, and used every creative outlet at her disposal to share it, to the glory of her Creator.
Ataxia-Telangiectasia (A-T) is a genetic disease that cripples a body’s ability to self-repair. The resulting symptoms mirror many other diseases, making A-T difficult to diagnose. Instead of developing properly, children experience degeneration most notably in the cerebellum. The common first sign of the disease is an unsteady walk from the earliest of ages (ataxia). The ongoing degeneration of the cerebellum leads to a number of other neurological issues including challenges with speech, eating, fine motor skills, and eye movement. The disease causes the appearance of “spider veins” on the surface of the eyes and skin (telangiectasias).
Ryn was diagnosed at age 1 as failure to thrive. She was underweight and malnourished. Her growth rate was off the charts — as in “below the bottom of the page.” She endured endless tests for everything from celiac disease to mitochondrial disorders. After beginning to walk, she never stood perfectly straight and quite often fell. She enjoyed a few years of dance and gymnastics, but despite her best efforts, struggled to maintain her balance.
Her diagnosis came through a geneticist in the Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford, when Cathryn was 8 years old. She very quickly was given a G-tube, and once her body started receiving proper levels of nutrition, she gained weight steadily and attained a new level of health. Yet the neurological effects of the disease ran their course. At age 9 she used a walker, and by age 10, she was using a wheelchair.
Her diagnosis came through a geneticist in the Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford, when Cathryn was 8 years old. She very quickly was given a G-tube, and once her body started receiving proper levels of nutrition, she gained weight steadily and attained a new level of health. Yet the neurological effects of the disease ran their course. At age 9 she used a walker, and by age 10, she was using a wheelchair.
